Short cervix and pregnant again

[Dewdrop2015]

I had a short cervix 1.5cm at 20 weeks with my daughter. Spent 13 weeks in hospital on bedrest. Came off bedrest at 32 weeks and went full term. I'm pregnant again and have been offered a suture at 12-14 weeks or can wait and see. Anyone else been given a choice about this and did you have a suture? Really don't want to spend 3 months in hospital again.

Hi, my cervix measured approx 26mm well that's what it said on my notes, they just didn't seem concerned at all & said I wont be seen again until 28 weeks for growth scan, they did scan my cervix at 13 weeks and said I was starting out with the same as any woman & all looked normal then yesterday said they were very happy with everything & try not to worry anymore, I was happy until I read my notes & saw the measurement & went online, which they told me not to but I cant help it xxx

Hi kirstylouise20; I'm sure there are lots of people here who know more than I do, but I think 26mm is borderline ok - I think I remember reading that 25mm and above is considered ok during second trimester. But if you have previous history of preterm birth or cervical incompetence, then I would have thought that someone should be keeping an eye on it? I gave birth to DS1 at 32 weeks and my cervix shortened to something like 21mm at 24 weeks with DS2 - I was on bedrest for most of the rest of my pregnancy. I think if I were you I would probably request another appointment in a couple of weeks to check.

Hi applecore0317 It's always good to hear good news! I had my first son at 32 weeks (no cervical shortening picked up beforehand, I went into labour completely out of the blue) - of course I hope you get much closer to term, but still, 32 weeks is pretty good. DS1 is seven now and perfectly healthy, even if your baby is born quite soon, s/he has a good chance of being fine.

I had measurements of 21mm at around 24 weeks in my second pregnancy, and ended up on bed rest (this was 5 years ago, and no one then said anything about progesterone - not sure whether it was too new then?). I made it to 36 weeks in the end, but it was a long haul. Now I'm 22 weeks with DS3 and hoping that it stays under control for as long as possible! I am off work and taking progesterone, and spending as much time as I can on the sofa - I'll be really chuffed if it pays off, but there are no guarantees of anything.

Congrats on making 32 weeks and good luck with getting to term!

Hi thanks for your reply, I have no history of preterm birth, other 3 were all 38 weeks, I was just worried after having the loop procedure after my youngest that it could cause cervical incompetence, after surfing the net I got myself all worked up with the measurement, born worrier all the time anyway & I get really anxious in pregnancy, although my consultant was happy I did phone the hospital today & she Is going to see me in 2 weeks to talk about it, possibly just to try and put my mind at rest but I think I will ask her for another internal scan xxx

Hi kirsty whenever I have spoken to the consultant the length hasn't been his main concern. Main issue is that my cervix is soft as well as being short. So it might be that yours isn't soft?

Hi applecore, consultant never mentioned anything like that, was given the photos of my internal scan & measurements & just said she was happy with it all, looked fine and try to relax, easier said ths done, I know I should probably stay off google but its such a worry, I have read that even longer cervixes' have been known to just give way so I did wonder if the length was maybe not the only factor to consider x

Hi just wanted to check in as I was lurking! I have been/am/will be in a similar situation to many of your ladies. I lost my baby in December at almost 25 weeks due to IC, something I'd never heard of before. No previous procedures etc. on my cervix. I am now 9 weeks pregnant and my pre pregnancy cervix length was around 2.25-2.5 cm so short. I have a stitch booked in about two weeks and then plan to do very little for the rest of my pregnancy which will hopefully last a long time!

Hi just wanted to check in as I was lurking! I have been/am/will be in a similar situation to many of you ladies. I lost my baby in December at almost 25 weeks due to IC, something I'd never heard of before. No previous procedures etc. on my cervix. I am now 9 weeks pregnant and my pre pregnancy cervix length was around 2.25-2.5 cm so short. I have a stitch booked in about two weeks and then plan to do very little for the rest of my pregnancy which will hopefully last a long time!

Hi just wanted to check in as I was lurking! I have been/am/will be in a similar situation to many of you ladies. I lost my baby in December at almost 25 weeks due to IC, something I'd never heard of before. No previous procedures etc. on my cervix. I am now 9 weeks pregnant and my pre pregnancy cervix length was around 2.25-2.5 cm so short. I have a stitch booked in about two weeks and then plan to do very little for the rest of my pregnancy which will hopefully last a long time!

Hi April1984 sorry to hear about your loss. Congratulations on your second pregnancy - I really hope things go well for you this time! Keep us posted...

April very glad to hear you will soon have a stitch. That is how my first loss happened too absolutly no warning there was no reason to suspect my cervix was weak.

I'm 38 weeks today and booked in for induction next Sunday, all because of a stitch.

Thanks both and good luck to you both - LittleBairn, I can not wait to get to your stage! Can I ask where you had your stitch and what type?

April I had at rescue stitch, I think it was a McDonalds but then again it was really difficult for my surgeon to get in she may well have invented a whole new stitch.

Dixie interesting to hear you had 2 pProms I did with my first two babies too. The hospital accepts that my 2nd was a cervical failure but they disputed the 1st and blamed the pProms for his death. They used it as a reason not to give me a preventive stitch.
I wonder if other incompetant cervix women have had previous pProms?

Slightly gross but we have my stitch at home in a tube, DH wanted to keep it as he pointed out it saved our baby's life.
It looks a bit like a white rubber band.

Dixie ah yes that thread just before it was revealed I ended up in hospital for 5 weeks the whole time I was praying for the baby. I was so upset when I found out it was all BS!

My sac was also bulging with my 2nd pregnancy too. Yes unfortunately you need to have at least 2 and in some cases 3 late losses before they will stitch or basically do anything.
I was very lucky mine worked and didn't have a 3rd loss, I'm pretty sure its all because I changed hospitals for this pregnancy they were much more proactive in their care.

It's interesting your Dr admitted the cervix can change back to normal quickly this has always been my argument for my first pProms which my hospital refused to admit.

And now I'm full term and can't seem to go into labour. Despite my problems with my cervix I've never laboured without being induced, talk about Sod's law!

Just a quick message to echo others and say that stitches work. I'm pregnant with twins and was diagnosed with a 4mm cervix at 22 weeks. Not good, particularly with twins. My wonderful consultant put in a stitch (2 of them apparently) and I was told to "try to get to 28 weeks".

Am now 34 weeks and twins are still in! The stitches are being taken out in 2 weeks. I wake up every day and can't believe I'm still pregnant. It's been awful, but I'm convinced the stitch is the reason they're still in. I was also on progesterone pessaries until I hit 34 weeks. A tip for anyone on them - take them rectally. It's not fun, but a hell of a lot better than vaginally!

Hi good to hear positive stitch stories. Hopefully as this time mine will be a preventative stitch it will do the job. I will be on progesterone rectally too (great!). x

sunflower congratualtions so good to hear your double stitch is holding up.

I always did my Pessaries vaginally I hated doing it but thought it would be worse rectally.

Dixie yes I was the one who had the cervical resistance study and according to the test my cervix is strong and healthy.
I'm so glad I never believed the results. Whilst I was in hospital I met two midwives who remembered me both had said they had never met anyone so certain it was wrong and weren't surprised I was proved right.

It was the same for me very similar history and my cervix and waters went at 18 weeks too. I actually became paranoid she had searched my mn history but by the sounds of it she was just a very well informed troll.
Honestly I wouldn't mind a C-section now but I will see how it goes with the induction.